Airspace Flashcards
Class A Airspace
From 18,000 MSL up to and including FL600 (60,000 ft pressure alt)
Can a VFR flight be conducted within Class A airspace?
No, must be IFR unless authorized by ATC
Minimum pilot cert for class A?
Private pilot with instrument rating
Equipment required for class A? (3)
2 way radio, capable of com with ATC
mode c transponder
IFR operation equipment
Depiction of class A on Nav Charts
Not specifically depicted
Class B Airspace
Generally, from surface to 10,000 ft MSL around busiest airports. (resembles upside down wedding cake)
Minimum pilot cert required to operate in Class B
PIC holds private pilot cert PIC has recreational pilot cert Student pilot seeking recreational pilot cert Sport pilot Student pilot who met req's
Minimum equipment operations for Class B
2 way radio, capable of comms with ATC
Mode c transponder
If IFR, a VOR or TACAN receiver or operable RNAV system
Before entering Class B what basic requirement must be met?
Receive ATC clearance
VFR Flight Weather Mins for Class B
Clear of Clouds
3 SM visibility
Depiction of Class B on Nav Charts
Solid shaded blue line (100/25 depicts top/base)
Max Speed in Class B
200 knots at or below 2500 ft
250 kts below 10000 ft
Class C Airspace
Surface to 4000 ft above airport, with operational control tower, radar approach, IFR, and passenger flights
Dimensions of Class C
Usually, 5 NM radius surface to 4000ft
10NM 1200 ft to 4000ft
20 NM specific req’s
Minimum Pilot Cert for Class C
Student Pilot
Minimum Equipment Class C
2 way radio
Auto pressure alt reporting equipment with mode C transponder
Basic Requirement before entering Class C
2 way radio communication with ATC
Minimum Weather condition for class C VFR operations
cloud clearance 500 below, 1000 above, 2000 horizontal
3 sm visibility
Class C depiction on Nav Charts
Solid Magenta
Max Speed in Class C at or Below 2500 ft?
200kts
Class D Airspace
Usually, surface to 2500 ft above airport elevation
What requirement must be met to operate within or through Class D?
2 way radio communications with ATC
Minimum weather conditions for VFR operations in Class D
3 SM visibility
Cloud clearance 500 below, 1000 above, 2000 horiz
Class D depiction on NavCharts
Blue segmented lines
ATC services for Class D
No separation services by ATC. That is pilot responsibility
ATC can provide info services workload permitting
Max speed class D at or below 2500 ft
200 kts
What happens when control tower ceases operation for the day at a Class D?
Class E surface area rules, or combo of Class E down to 700 ft and Class G to the surface apply. See chart for specifics
Class E (controlled) definition
controlled airspace is a generic term that covers class A, B, C, D, E. Where ATC service is provided
Minimum equipment, operating rules and pilot certification for class E
Student Pilot
no equipment
no reqs for arrival or flight through class E
What is the purpose of class E transition area?
Exists to help separate arriving and departing IFR traffic from VFR aircraft in the area.
Magenta Vignette on nav chart indicates
class E at 700 ft AGL
Blue vignette on nav chart indicates
class E at 1200 ft AGL
Are you required to establish 2 way comm with tower in class E?
Yes, rior to 4 NM of airport up to 2500 ft AGL
Class E depiction on nav charts
lateral and vertical limits of class E controlled up to 18000 ft are shown by narrow band of vignette. Floors of 700 ft are magenta vignette. Floors other than 700 ft are blue vignette.
Class E surface extension depiction on nav charts
segmented magenta line
Class G definition
Uncontrolled, that portion of airspace no designated as A,B,C,D or E. ATC has no authority or responsibility
Are you required to establish comm with a tower in class G?
Yes, prior to 4 NM of airport up to 2500 ft AGL
Vertical limits of class G airspace
surface to 14500 ft MSL
Minimum cloud clearance and visibility for flight ops in traffic pattern at night in class G below 1200 ft AGL
Visibility > 1 sm during night hours, clear of clouds you may operate within 1/2 mile of runway
Main difference between G and A,B, C D or E
Flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements
Minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance for VFR flights in Class C, D, E < 10000 ft MSL
Vis 3 SM
Cloud clearance: 500 below, 1000 above, 2000 horizontal
Minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance for VFR flights in Class C, D, E >= 10000 ft MSL
Vis: 5 SM
cloud clearance: 1000 ft below, 1000 above, 1 sm horizontal
Minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance for VFR flights in Class G 1200 ft or less, Daytime
Vis: 1 SM
Cloud clearance: clear of clouds
Minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance for VFR flights in Class G 1200 ft or less, Night
Vis 3 SM
Cloud clearance: 500 below, 1000 above, 2000 horizontal
Minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance for VFR flights in Class G 1200 ft < 10000 ft, DAY
Vis 1 SM
Clouds: 500 below, 1000 above, 2000 horizontal
Minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance for VFR flights in Class G 1200 ft < 10000 ft Night
Vis 3 SM
Clouds: 500 below, 1000 above, 2000 horizontal
Minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance for VFR flights in Class G > 10000 ft MSL
Vis 5 SM
Clouds: 1000 ft below, 1000 ft above, 1 SM horizontal
Basic VFR weather minimums for operation in Class B, C, D, or E
1000 ft ceiling and 3 mi visibility (except for special VFR)
What is Special VFR Clearance?
May be obtained from ATC prior to operating in airspace, provided t/o or landing clear of clouds with 1 SM vis.
Are special VFR clearances always available?
No, special VFR ops are prohibited in some class B and C due to volume of IFR. And depends on ATC workload
Can a special VFR be obtained at night?
No special VFR prohibited between sunset and sunrise
What is a restricted area?
Denotes existence of unusual, often invisible hazards, often military in nature. Flying in restricted areas without authorization may be extremely hazardous
What is a Warning Area?
Area extending 3 NM out from coast of US that may be hazardous to non-participating aircraft.
MOA?
Military Operating Area. VFR flight in MOA should be made with extreme caution. active/inactive status of MOA may change frequently. Pilots should contact FSS within 100 mi of area to get real time info regarding the MOA
Alert Area
informs nonparticipating pilots of an unusual aerial activity often high volume of pilot training
National Security Area
Requested that voluntarily avoid
TRSA
Terminal Radar Service Area is airspace surrounding designated airports wherein ATC provides radar vectoring, sequencing and separation for all VFR and IFR flights
Depiction of TSRA on nav charts
Solid black lines and altitudes. Class D part is shown with blue segmented line
Where to find info on VFR flyways, VFR corridors and class B transition routes?
Reverse side of VFR Terminal Area Charts
ADIZ
Air Defense Identification Zone. where the ready identification, location and control of aircraft is required by nat’ security
Requirements for ADIZ ops
Flight Plan 2 way radio Mode C Transponder Position reports (for IFR) Aircraft position tolerances Pilot reporting leaving land ADIZ if too low for radar
